Adjustable support for a stringed musical instrument

Abstract

An adjustable support 12 for a stringed musical instrument such as a cello 10 includes a shaft 14 that is removably inserted into the cello 10, and a support member 16 that is adjustably disposed upon and secured to the shaft 14. The support member 16 includes an insertion portion 26 with a stabilizing bushing 72 disposed thereupon for stabilized insertion into an aperture in a bottom portion 11 of the cello 10, an annular portion 28 with an annular wall 34 for engaging and supporting the bottom portion 11 of the cello 10, and a lower portion 30 for securing the support member 16 circumferentially about a cylindrical outer wall 18 of the shaft thereby allowing an artist playing the cello to select a comfortable elevated and stabilized position of the cello 10 above a floor surface.

Description

[0001] This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 565,270, filed on Apr. 23, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to musical instrument supports and more particularly, to an adjustable support for a stringed musical instrument such as a cello, the adjustable support being secured to a bottom portion of the instrument. Background of the Prior Art [0004] Large stringed musical instruments, such as the cello or bass violin, require a support mechanism that elevates the instrument above a floor or other support surface suitable for facilitating the playing of the instrument. Such an arrangement is provided primarily for the comfort and assistance of the musician. [0005] Commonly, the instrument is lifted and suspended from the support by means of a rod fixed to it. The rod is aligned in the centerline of the instrument to protrude from the bottom as the instrument is held inclined back from upright d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] A principle object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support for a stringed musical instrument such as a cello or bass violin. A feature of the adjustable support is a cylindrical shaft having a cylindrical inner cavity that defines a shaft wall thickness that promotes a circumferentially deformable shaft wall. An advantage of the adjustable support is that it is extensible from or insertable into the stringed instrument for easy transport. Another advantage of the adjustable support is that the entire cylindrical surface of the shaft is usable for establishing an elevation of the stringed instrument above a floor surface, the elevation being dictated by an artist playing the instrument.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support that requires a relatively small amount of force upon a fastener from the artist playing the instrument to position the adjustable support such that the stringed musical instrument is elevated to a corresponding playing position for the artist. A feature of the adjustable support is a support member that provides substantially 360 degrees of inwardly-directed force upon the shaft via an axially parallel extending gap and a semi-circumferential aperture in a lower portion of a support member. An advantage of the adjustable support is that a balanced, circumferential gripping force is disposed upon the shaft to avoid bending the shaft and to maintain stability between the adjustable support and the elevated stringed musical instrument removably secured thereto.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support that grasps a portion of a floor surface engaged by the shaft of the adjustable support. A feature of the adjustable support is a bott...

Problems solved by technology

The addition of such a structure to a cello...

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